ENA Future Networks Forum: Innovation Forum

Date: 11-12 March

Where: Kumutoto – Taniwha rooms, PwC Building 10 Waterloo Quay, Wellington. There is also the option to attend this event online via Teams.


Registration Details

The cost to attend in person is $100 per person per day. Online attendance via Teams is free. 


Non-EDB attendees can receive a discount code. If you’re not from a lines company, please email fnf@electricity.org.nz to get a code before registering.


Register here


Once registered, you’ll receive an Outlook invitation from the Future Networks Forum team with details for the event.

 

Agenda for day one: 11 March

On day 1, EDB representatives will kōrero with a number of external stakeholders to share challenges and priorities for change in the sector. Following this, there will be a social catchup in the evening.

Date:   Tuesday 11 March 2025
Time:   9:30 - 15:00 (followed by a social get-together) 
Place:  Kumutoto – Taniwha rooms, PwC Building 10 Waterloo Quay, Wellington.

 

Time Title Speaker 

09:3010:00 

Registration and morning tea

 

10:00 – 10:20 

Opening karakia and welcome from the FNF Co-Chairs plus update on FNF progress [30m]

 

FNF Co-Chairs

James Tipping 

GM Market Strategy & Regulation, Vector 

 

Sam Elder 

GM Energy Futures, Orion 

10:20  10:30

ENA update [15m]

Richard Le Gros

Policy & Innovation Manager, ENA

10:30 – 11:15 

TBC [60m]

 

11:15 - 12:00

Commerce Commission INTSA guidance [45m] 

The Commission will provide an overview of the DPP4 Innovation and Non-Traditional Solutions Allowance criteria and discuss the associated guidance document it will release prior to the start of DPP4. There will also be an opportunity for a question-and-answer session on the intended operation of the allowance 

Ben Woodham  

Electricity Distribution Manager, Commerce Commission  

Peter Hunter  

Senior Analyst – Electricity Distribution, Commerce Commission 

12:00 - 13:00

Lunch [60m]

 

13:00 – 13:45

EECA presentation [60m]

This session will cover a brief outline of EECA’s scaled demand flexibility pilots (residential and industrial). It will also cover a brief update of the EECA and MBIE work on smart EV charger regulation.  

Brian Fitzgerald  

Technical Lead, EECA 

Kanchana Marasinghe 

Innovation Portfolio Manager, EECA 

13:45 - 14:45

TBC  [60m] TBC
15:00 - 15:30

Afternoon tea  [30m]

 
15:15 - 16:15

Energy Queensland will share an overview and early insights from their work on Local Renewable Energy Zones (LREZ) and Community Battery programme. 

Energy Queensland have a programme to support the renewable energy transition in Queensland with the scaled deployment of batteries, delivery of Distribution System Operator least regrets options with the aim of reducing barriers to increased solar and EV uptake by Queensland customers.   Currently Energy Queensland are deploying 50 High Voltage and 200 Low Voltage connected batteries across the state.  

Glenn Dahlenburg will present on the key lessons learned from the battery deployment and Glenn Springall will be available to discuss the least regrets DSO enablers such as how Dynamic Connections and DERMS are enabling higher levels of PV and EV adoption.

Glenn Dahlenburg 

General Manager Energy Storage, Energy Queensland 

Glenn Springall 

General Manager Renewables and Distributed Energy, Energy Queensland 

16:15 - 16:45

Spotlight on Innovation: Energy Transition and Network Transformation 

This 30-minute session features 6 x 5-minute pitches from EDB representatives. This is an open floor for participants to share or pitch initiatives related to energy transition and network transformation that they have completed, are currently undertaking, or are planning. Speakers should highlight their project insights, and outcomes, answering the critical question: “So what?” – what does this initiative mean for other EDBs? 

TBC

16:45 - 17:00

Wrap-up and closing karakia from the FNF Co-Chairs [15m]

James Tipping 

GM Market Strategy & Regulation, Vector 

 

Sam Elder 

GM Energy Futures, Orion 

17:00 onwards  

Event close and social catch-up at Shed 22 in Central Wellington

 

Organisations in attendance for day one: 

  • Electricity distribution businesses  
  • Electricity Networks Aotearoa  
  • Electricity Engineers’ Association  
  • Transpower 
  • Electricity Authority  
  • Commerce Commission 
  • Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority  
  • Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment 
  • Ara Ake
  • New Zealand Infrastructure Commission

 

 


Agenda for day two: 12 March 

On Day 2, attendees from EDBs will participate in workshops for FNF projects, focusing on building shared capability and alignment within the sector. 

Date:   Wednesday 12 March 2025
Time:   8:30 - 14:10  
Place:  Kumutoto – Taniwha rooms, PwC Building 10 Waterloo Quay, Wellington.

 

Time Title Speaker 

08:30 – 08:50

Registration

 

8:509:10

Opening karakia and welcome from the FNF Co-Chairs [20m]

FNF Co-Chairs

James Tipping 

GM Market Strategy & Regulation, Vector 

 

Sam Elder 

GM Energy Futures, Orion 

9:10 – 9:35

Reflections on yesterday [25m]

FNF Co-Chairs

9:35 – 10:35

NTR review [60m]

Co-creating a step change in the scale and pace of network transformation, leveraging INTSA and the FNF. 

FNF Co-Chairs

10:35 – 11:00

Morning tea [25m]

 

11:00  11:20

ENA Common Load Management Protocol Project [20m] 

This session will give a quick update and Q&A on the FNF project to develop a common Load Management Protocol for use by EDBs and retailers

Richard Le Gros  

Policy & Innovation Manager, ENA 

11:20 - 11:40

Connections Journey Mapping project update and check in [20m]   

Update of the project and highlight over the EA & EEA updates and launch of the 5 quick win deliverables with next steps 

Sian Hughes 

Connections Customer Solutions Manager, Orion 

Rachel Wansbone 

GM Customer & Community, Northpower 

11:40 - 12:40

Capabilities, Roles and Functions [60m] 

Stage 2 of this project focuses on DSO models and industry architecture to enable distributed flexibility. The output of this stage is a DSO models report which will be published in mid-April. 

During this session, Baringa will provide an update on the draft report and attendees will have an opportunity to discuss and provide feedback.  

Evie Trolove 

Head of Market & Customer Innovation, Orion 

 

12:40 - 13:00

Customer Segmentation project workshop [20m] 

 

Anca Cernic 

Customer Insights Manager, Vector 

13:00 - 13:10 

Wrap-up and closing karakia [20m]

FNF Co-Chairs 

13:10 14:10

Lunch [60m]

 

 

Organisations in attendance for day two: 

  • Electricity distribution businesses 
  • Electricity Engineers’ Association  
  • Transpower